Just One Glance (Oh Tequila Series Book 5)

slow, calming breath. Darcy was right, I was a ticking time bomb. One full of tension. The idea that this could be my life for the next however many years it took to complete college and gain a degree I didn’t even want made me feel nauseous.
I’d been told I would be a lawyer, not asked. It had never been about what I wanted, or what made me happy. My mother was the one who cared, she was the one who allowed me to be me. She never forced my hand, she gave me options, then in the end when we made the choice, it was always what I wanted. My father worshiped my mother, but truth be told, he’d never wanted children. He’d only conceived me to keep her happy. I was the one who reminded him he’d lost her.
I’d dreamt of being a dancer, though I knew that would have never been my only joy. I knew I wanted it to play a big part. But after my mother passed, my father took that joy away. Dance lessons were a waste. They were a pastime we no longer needed. I’d been groomed and pressured to be who he needed me to be. My dreams no longer mattered.
I was his robot.

Chapter Four
Jay
“Where are they?”
I remained perfectly still on the couch, ignoring the idiots behind me. There was never a dull moment here, never a quiet time to just enjoy some peace. The fraternity was cursed with a bunch of idiots and now the girls who dared to take on each one longer than just one night. I still found it amazing that those types of girls existed. Who in their right mind would willingly be a part of this group?
“My shoes, you idiot, where are they?” Blake barged into the living room and practically tackled Clayton, pushing on his chest, and kicking at his shins. “If you threw them outside again I swear I will―” She paused as if the words had failed her.
“Well, they aren’t outside.” Looking back, I noticed the blank look on her face and followed her glare toward the entrance to the kitchen. That’s when I could no longer hold back my own laughter. Xavier stood in the doorway holding up a clear bowl of some yellow substance, but there was no way to miss what was buried in the center. Bright red Chuck Taylors, the upper half of the high tops sticking out of the top of the bowl.
“You asshole.” It was more of a growl that ripped from the tiny fireball. Suddenly Blake was on Clayton like a feral cat thirsty for revenge. She jumped up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and fisted his hair.
The sounds that left Clayton were those you would never imagine from a grown man. It was like he was on fire. “It’s just Jell-O, woman. It washes, for fuck’s sake.”
“Red,” he screeched, only Eli did nothing to help him. “Get your woman. Fuck.” Blake was wild and all of us just stood by watching it unfold. Amazed was more like it as she tore into him and he continued to squeal like a baby pig. Loud, high-pitched squeals. “Did you bite me?” Clayton whined, then screamed. I’d guess from her repeating the act. “Holy shit, Eli, she’s fucking biting me.”
“Serves you right.” His chest vibrated with laughter, a wide smile stretched out over his lips. The way Elijah stood proud with his arms crossed over his chest was comical. “Those Chucks are her favorite. You fuck with her shoes, you pay the price. I’m not about to interfere with my girl’s revenge. Unless of course you fight back, then I’ll step in.”
“Motherfu—” Clay’s words turned into a cry. “Stop biting, Jesus, woman.”
Suddenly Blake was lowered to the floor and Clayton jumped back, his arms stretched out before him. “I hope you’ve had your shots.” Seriously, the guy just kept tormenting the wild cat. “If I have rabies―” She lunged and he jumped back, knocking over a lamp.
“When are you gonna learn?” Isaac entered the room, took one look at the shoes buried in Jell-O, and then settled on Clayton. “You know that you are never gonna win. You mess with Blake, you trigger a ripple effect. All of the girls gang up on you, even your own. In the end you are crying like a bitch and they have the upper hand.”
“He’s already crying like a bitch.” I settled back into the couch and held my phone before hitting replay on the video I’d just taken without him knowing. “And everyone is now watching it too.”
Everyone stopped, including Blake as she walked around the couch and stood at my side.
“Up to ninety-two views and growing rapidly. Comments are hilarious too.” Blake leaned in closer. “Listen to the little bitch boy squeal. Oh, and this one.” I pointed to the screen and Blake snickered.
“It’s confirmed Clayton is a pussy, because there is no man I know that can reach that note. #BitchBoy #NoDickClayton.”
I looked back at Clay to find him glaring at me. “You have your own hashtags now, how cute.”
I caught the tail end of his body flying through the air as he tackled me. “You prick!” He placed me in a headlock, but I could barely contain my laughter. He most definitely had the upper hand because I was face down on the couch with his weight pressing me into the cushions further from behind.
I was just about to flip him off of me when I heard his displeased groan and the weight of his body disappeared. But in the aftermath I was showered with a jelly-like substance along my arm and the side of my head.
Blake stood only a few feet away holding her dripping shoes in one hand and a now empty bowl in the other.